Accessories container



y 1936- E. H. KOEHLER ACCESSORIES CONTAINER Filed Dec. 19, 1.955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Feb. 11, 1936.

E. H. KOEHLER ACCESSORIES CQNTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 19, 1933 llllllw' 1 I "Mum,

' INVENT WwM/Z w M398! I 4 ATTORNEY 2.; IhHn...

Y HHIHIIIIIHI nn 1 Patented F eb. 11, 1936 UNITED STATES? OFFICE- ACCESSORIES CONTAINER- Edwin H. Koehler, New York, N. Y.

Application December 19, 1933, SerialNo.703,039

l'l'Claims.

My invention relates to: containers 5 for:cigarettes: andoth'e-r articles and; refers-particularly to such containersin which the openingand closmg of the containerprotrudes or withdraws the article, and inwhich these two operations are co-ordinated:

Pocket cigarette cases. areintended to protect thecigarettes against being; crushed 0]."b10k611, to conserve their flavor and: to. render their useconvenient. While the-device. of my invention is more particularly intended forus'e as. a cigarette container to becarried upon the person, it is capable of otheruses.

There are various kinds of- .metal pocket cigarette cases or containers, the-larger number of which are more or less inconvenient for use, while some areof complicated constructiorrexpensive.

to manufacture-and liable to become inoperative.

The device of .my invention is simple in construction, economical. to-.manufacture. unlikely to become inoperable and is-readilyoperated by one hand. More particular advantages and valuable attributes of my inventionwill clearly appear from the following description. taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In general, the device of my invention comprises a pair of similar laterally spaced parallel flexible bands or the like, guided within an outer casing, these bands carryingbetween them. a

0 flexible cover for the .casing and also carrying. a

receptacle forming a carrier forcigarettes; or

other articles, these connected. bands thus being.

adapted .to have unitary movement. The rela.--

tion and arrangement of the operating'parts are such that one movement imparted to these bands will cause the contained cigarettes to be presented in a readily accessible position for removal and use, andanother movement of such bands will be efiective to Withdraw the cigarettes into thecasing, while at the same time and by the same respective movements of these bands, the flexible cover for the casing is opened and again. closed.

My inventionv furtherincludes various features of construction and combination. of parts, as will appear from the following description-of one form ofthe device which is illustrated. inthe accompanying'drawings, in which similar parts are designated by similar reference-numerals.

Figure 1 is a front perspective viewof a con-v tainer embodying my invention showing such container in its closed. condition.

Figure 2 is a similar View showingthe open condition of the container of myinvention.

Figure 3 is an enlarged. broken vertical. section taken on theline'3; 3 'of- Figure 4 with the con.- tainer shownin its:closed;condition as in Figure 1.

Figure 4- is a central vertical. section on the line 4, of Figure3.-

Figure 5. is a... horizontal transverse section taken'on the stepped line-5, 5 of Figure 3.

Figure. 6 is a vertical section substantially similar to Figure 4 but showing the container in its open. condition. asin" Figure 2.

Figure? is a perspective View of an inner receptacle-carrying, operating; structure, with its movable parts positioned as in. Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a similar viewof inner receptacle forming an article carrier which is disposed within and is carriedbythe operating structure shown in Figure "I.

Figure 9- is aperspective view ot a. bottom closure for the-outer'casing ofthe container.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of an operating stud, the-outerend of'which is-adapted to form a finger piece for-opening and closing the container as shown in Figures 1,. 2, 4, 5 and 6.

The particular form of-thedevice of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprisesan inner operating. structure or member which .is separatelyshown in Figure '7. This structure comprises apair of similar end frames, eachof which is. oi verticallyelongated- U -shape having side arms Ill-l0: and an intermediate lower connecting portion I. The vertical arms Ill-10 0f each or these U-shaped framesare.

connected together by a pair. of upper and lower journalpinsfl-ll-with the upper one of these pinsadjacentto the upper ends of the arms and with the lower'journal pin. substantially spaced above the arm-connecting portion. 1 l.

Similar pulleys. l3-l3 are. journaled respectively'upon the-upper'and'lower pins l2--l2 betweenthe frame armslfl -ln. Each of: these pulleys.-rl3--l-3.has:a guide. flange I4. It will be noted that in each instance thesepulley flanges I4l4-are disposedadjacent tothearm II) which is laterally at the outer side ofthe .inner operating structure as a: whole.

A. pair; of. similar endless flexible members, such as metallic. bands. l5-.-l5,. run respectively over each pair of pulleys 13 -13. At the front thesebands are connected. together by. means of a horizontalcross bar l6 secured. thereto. at its ends. At anotherpoint. in suitably spaced relation from this-cross bar Hi. along. the bands l5--|-5, shown in Figure 7. as being at the back, these bands Iii-l5 are. similarly connected together. bya flexible transverse cover strip I'l adapted to form.-a..movable cover for an outer casing to be described later.

A-rectangular box-like receptacle, shown separately in Figure 8,.- is provided to receive and form a carrier for cigarettes l8-- l8, or other articles, to. extend; upward-1y; beyond. the a open top of .thisreceptacle asashown in .Figures3, land; 6. This-.open'etop; receptacle has. a. front. wall I9; a rear wal1'.20,l similar end. walls 2|, 2! anda bottom .22; It isifixedly carried by thecross bar: 16

at the rear thereof with the outer faces of its end walls 2|2| slightly spaced from the adja cent faces of the opposed inner arms Ill-J9 of the respective U-shaped end frames, so as to be freely movable between these frame arms longitudinally thereof, which is vertically in the position of the .device shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.

This receptacle is fixedly attached to the cross bar I5 by means of tongues or prongs 2323 which respectively pass outwardly through apertures 24-24 through the bar I6. These tongues 23-23 extend forwardly from the front wall l9 and are turned over at the front of the bar l6, as shown in Figure 3.

The front wall l9 of the receptacle has through it a circular opening 25 midway of its width in lateral or horizontal alignment with the attaching tongues 23, 23, while the transverse or horizontal bar It has through it a smaller circular opening 26 in registering alignment with the.

opening 25 for the reception of an operating stud to be described later.

With the above described article receptacle thus fixedly assembled within the above described operating structure the resulting instrumentality or mechanism forming an inner part of the device, is ready to be assembled within an outer casing. This outer casing comprises a flat front wall 21, a similar rear wall 28, a rounded connecting top wall 29, similar side walls 30, 39 and is originally open at its lower end or bottom, which is to be closed by a bottom, described later.

The rounded top wall 29 is cut away to provide a large opening 3|, shown as of a width extending into alignment with the front and rear walls 27 and 23 and as of a transverse length substantially the same as the length of the receptacle between the outer faces of its end walls 2|-2|.

Thus the top of this casing is open throughout the major portion of its extent. The front casing wall 27 has through it a slotted opening 32 extending parallel with and midway between its side walls 39-39. The above described assem- ;b1ed inner part of the device is assembled within the outer casing by inserting it therein through the open lower end of the latter. The relative dimensions are such that the laterally outer arms |9|9 of this inner part fit snugly against the inner faces of the side walls 30-30 of this casing, but slide longitudinally thereon during the assembling operation.

An operating stud 33 having a relatively thin head 34 may now be passed to the inside of the device through the top opening 3| and inserted through the receptacle opening 25 and the cross bar opening 26 to project to the outside of the casing wall 21 through its slot 32. The head 34 of the stud is received into the opening 25 in countersunk relation so as not to project beyond the inner face of the receptacle wall l9 and may be substantially flush with the latter, as shown in Figure 4. The outer end of this stud 33 forms a finger piece and carries an annular outer head :member 35 which may be secured upon the stud 33 by riveting the latter, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6.

The movable cover piece or shield member H for the casing may be made from any suitable sufficiently flexible sheet material, for example,

celluloid or metal. Adjacent its corners this casing cover is securely attached to the tapes or bands |5-|5, as is shown in Figure 3 for two of these corners at the opposite ends of this casing cover. The ends of this-cover sheet or strip are desirably wider than its middle portion and it is shown as having a gradual concave curve along its edges between its ends, as is clearly shown in Figures 3 and '7. However, the narrower middle portion of this casing cover is wider than the width of the larger slotted opening 3| in the top of the casing, as will be seen in Figures 3 and 4. The above noted shape of this flexible casing cover or shield member I! strengthens its attachment to the endless bands l5, l5, strengthens this cover itself and also facilitates its operation in its movement between its open and closed positions.

It is tobe noted of the particular construction shown that the two outermost arms |0 -|EI of the substantially U-shaped end frames are extended upwardly beyond the adjacent upper roller pivots |2|2 to form extensions 363B respectively. The upper ends of these extensions- 3636 project upwardly slightly beyond the adjacent roller flanges |4| 4 and are adapted to abut against the casing top wall 29, as is clearly shown in Figures 3, 4 and '7. Thus it is rendered impossible for either the traveling bands |5|5 or the flexible casing cover I! to come into rubbing contact with the casing top 29.

In assembling the previously assembled inner part of the device within the outer casing part or housing, the inward sliding movement of this inner part will be stopped by the projecting ends of the frame extensions 36, 38 abutting against the inner side of the casing top wall 29. The rounded contour of these extensions 33, 36 and of the casing top 29 centers the upper ends of the arms III, III in a front and rear direction within the outer casing. The joining members H for the frame arms l0, It) will now be slightly inward beyond the lower edges of the walls of this outer casing, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6.

The bottom end of this main outer casing part may now be closed by means of a casing bottom 31, shown separately in Figure 9. This casing bottom 3'! is provided with upturned front and rear flanges 38, 38 and also with end flanges 39, 39. Each of these end flanges 39, 39 has its middle portion cut away so as to provide respective end notches 40, 49 Which are of the same width as the arms l0, l9 and their connectors II, II. The casing bottom 31 is of such dimensions that its flanges 38, 38 and 39, 39 will fit snugly within the lower end of the outer casing part between its front and rear walls 21, 29 and similarly between its side walls 39, 30.

When the casing bottom 31 has been thus placed in position its outer face will be flush with the lower edges of the casing walls 21, 28 and 39, 39. At the same time the inner face of this bottom closure 31 adjacent its end notches 40, 49 will be in abutting engagement with the lower face of the frame arm connectors H. which then will be centered from front to rear within these notches 4U, 40 in the end flanges 39, 39 of the bottom 31, this assembled relation being clearly shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6 of the drawings. This bottom closure 31 may now be securely fastened in place in any suitable way, such as by soldering.

The operation is as follows:-

Let it be assumed that the container device is in its closed condition with its movable top cover I! then completely closing the top casing opening 3| and with the contained cigarettes |8, |8 then fully housed within the closed casing as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4. The finger piece, comprising the operating stud 33. together with its attached outer head 35,v is now at'the lower end of the slot 32 in. thefront casing. wall 21. If now the operating memberiormingthefinger piece is moved upwardly, the cross bar' l6 will.

concomitantly move the forward. stretches or runs of the bands I5, IS in an upward: direction, the rear stretchesor runs of :these bands thus being moved downwardly, thereby moving the flexible casing cover I! edgewise rearwardlyt and-downwardly;

When the finger piecestud33 has reached the upper-end of the slot 32, the flexible casing cover: ll will then be at a retracted lower position. at the.

back of the casing: alongside the inner face: of its rear wall 28, as shown in Figure 6and indicated in Figure 7. At the same time and .by this same movement the cross bar 16 willraise the cigarette-containing. receptacle to an upper position in which the'upper edges of itsfront and rear walls. l9 and 20 are respectively flush with the upper edges of the front and rear" walls 21 and 28 of the-outer casing.

The cigarettes l8, l8 will now have .theirpupper end:portions projecting. through the now un-. covered opening: 3|, as shown in both of Figures 2 and 6, so that thus these cigarettes may be. easily removed. A reverse or downward movement of the finger-piece stud 33 will be effective to. lower the cigarette-carrying receptacle and at the same time to move. the flexible cover l1 edgewise upwardly and thence forwardly across the casing opening. 3|, thereby closing the latter,

with the cigarettes I8, l8 then completely housedv I through this open top so as to be readily grasped and removed,.while a downward movement manually imparted. to this finger piece 33 will withdraw these cigarettes, or other contained'articles, into the casing and close the latter.

In this connection it is to be noted'that the operating bar I6 serves a double purpose or performs two functions, in the particular form of the device. of my invention illustrated in the drawings. Thus this single operating bar 16 directly moves the article-carrying.- receptacle in raising or lowering the latter and at the same time thisbar I6, through the intermediary of the endless traveling bands Iii-l5, is efl'ective to move the'flexible casing cover I! in either direction between its open and closed positions.

While the above describeddevice of my invention is shown in the drawings as used fora cigarette case, it is now evident that this device is equally well adapted for other uses where a similar manner of operation is desired. For example, among other articles which may besimilarly carried within the movable receptacle are cards'or the like, a small book, av cake of soap.

In the specification and claims, when. I employ such terms as top and bottom, upwardly and downwardly, or. similar expressions, reference is had merely to the position of the device as. shown in the drawings, since obviouslyv thedevice may have some-different position; Also by portable I mean a device which may be held in the hand and readily carried upon the person, in a pocket orotherwise, when so desired.

It is to-befurther-noted; particularly from Figures 1 and 2, that'the device of my invention is compact and self-contained, while also it has a neat and pleasing appearance.

I do not limit myself to the particular size, shape, number, arrangement .or material of parts as shown and described, as these are given simply as a means .for. clearly" explaining my invention.

Furthermore, it is obvious that various modifications maybemadein the construction shown in the drawings andaboveparticularly described, within the principle and'scope of my, invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1.. In a deviceiof; the character: described, in combination, a casing having an open end and a closed end, a pair of spaced parallel endless flexible members guided Within said casing for longitudinal traveling movement therein, a cover carried by saidmembers capable of movement across the open end of said casing for opening and closing the latter, an article carrier carried by said members in interposed relation between'the latter and capable of longitudinal movement within said casing, including movement beyond said flexible members toward the-closed end of said casing, and exterior operating means capable of moving said members concomitantly.

2. In adevice of the character described, in combination, a casing having an open end and a closed end, a pair of spaced parallel endless flexible bands guided within said casing for longitudinal traveling movement therein, a cover carried by saidbands caableof movement across the open end of said casing for opening and closing the latter, an article carriercarried by said bands in interposed relation between the latter and capable of longitudinal movement within said casing, including movement beyond said flexible bands toward the closed endof said casing, and exterior operating means capable of moving said bands concomitantly.

3. In a device of the character described, in combination, a casing having an open end and a closed end, a pair of spaced parallel endless flexible members guided within said casing for longitudinal travelingmovement therein, a flexible cover carried by said members capable of movement across the open end of said casing for open ing and closing thelatter; an article carrier carried by said members'in interposed relation between the latter and capable of longitudinal movement within said casing, including movement beyond said flexible members toward the closed end of said casing, and exterior operating means capable of moving said members concomitantly.

4; In a device of the character described, in combination, a casing having an open end and a closed end, a pair of spaced parallel endless flexible bands guided within said casing for longitudinal traveling; movement therein, a flexible cover carried by said bands capable of movement across the open end ofsaid casing for opening and closing the latter, an article carrier carried by said bands and in interposed relation between the latter and capable of longitudinal movement within said. casing, including movement beyond said flexible bands toward the closed end of. said casing, and exterior operating means capable of moving said bands concomitantly.

5. In a device of the character described,in combination, a casing havinganopen endand a closed end, a pair of spaced parallel endle'ssflexible mem-' bers guided within said casing for longitudinal traveling movement therein, a plurality of pulleys within said casing forming guides'for said flexible members, a cover carried by said members capable of movement across the open end of said casing for opening and closing the latter, an article carrier carried by said members and capable of longitmfinal movement within said casing, and exterior operating means capable of moving said members concomitantly.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, a casing having an open end and a closed end, a pair of spaced parallel endless flexible members guided within said casing for longitudinal traveling movement therein, a fixed frame member within said casing for each of said flexible members, a set of guide pulleys for each of said flexible members mounted upon the respective said frame members, a cover carried by said members capable of movement across the open end of said casing for opening and closing the latter, an article carrier carried by said members and capable of longitudinal movement within said casing, and exterior operating means capable of moving said members concomitantly.

7. In a device of the character described, in combination, a casing having an open end and a closed end and a longitudinal slot, a pair of spaced parallel endless flexible members guided within said casing for longitudinal traveling movement therein, a cover carried by said members capable of movement across the open end of said casing for opening and closing the latter, an article carrier carried by said members in interposed relation between the latter and capable of longitudinal movement within said casing, including movement beyond said flexible members toward the closed end of said casing, and exterior operating means capable of moving said members concomitantly extending through said slot and capable of longitudinal movement therein.

8. In a device of the character described, in combination, a casing having an open end and a closed end and a longitudinal slot, a pair of spaced parallel endless flexible members guided within said casing for longitudinal :traveling movement therein, a cover carried by said members capable of movement relatively to the open end of said casing for opening and closing the latter, an article carrier carried by said members and capable of longitudinal movement within said casing, said endless members being spaced laterally beyond said article carrier and said carrier having a path of longitudinal movement between said endless members parallel therewith, and exterior operating means extending through said slot and capable of longitudinal movement therein and fixedly connected to said carrier to move in the same direction therewith.

9. In a readily portable refillable container for one or more articles to be removed therefrom for use, in combination, a substantially rectangular flattened outer casing closed at its lower end and open at its upper end, a flexible cover member adapted to be moved edgewise across the upper end of said outer casing for opening and closing the latter, a substantially rectangular flattened carrier member open at its top and capable of upward and downward movement within said casing, a pair of movable spaced parallel endless flexible members connecting said movable cover and said movable carrier member together for concomitant movement, each of said flexible members having front and rear runs connected one or more articles to be removed therefrom for use, in combination, a substantially rectangular flattened outer casing closed at its lower end and open at its upper end, a flexible cover member adapted to be moved edgewise across the upper end of said outer casing for opening and closing the latter, a substantially rectangular flattened carrier member open at its top and capable of upward and downward movement within said casing, a pair of movable spaced parallel endless flexible members connecting said movable cover and said movable carrier member together for concomitant movement, each of said flexible members having front and rear runs connected together by upper and lower bights thereof of which said upper bights are immediately adjacent to the open upper end of said casing, a guide fixedly mounted in said casing for each of the bights of said flexible members, and operating means including a finger piece exposed at the outside of said casing and connected with said movable elements for thereby moving the latter concomitantly, said finger piece being movable forward and back and the relationship of said movable members being such that when said finger piece is moved in one direction the top of said casing will be uncovered and the contained articles raised to an accessible position while the movement of said finger piece in a reverse direction will withdraw said articles into the casing and close the open top of the latter.

11. In a readily portable refillable container for one or more articles to be removed therefrom for use, in combination, a substantially rectangular flattened outer casing closed at its lower end and open at its upper end, a flexible cover member adapted to be moved edgewise relatively to the upper end of said outer casing for opening and closing the latter, a substantially rectangular flattened carrier member open at its top and capable of upward and downward movement within said casing, a pair of movable spaced parallel endless flexible members connecting said movable cover and said movable carrier member together for concomitant movement, each of said flexible members having vertical runs connected together by upper and lower bights thereof of which said lower bights are spaced above the closed lower end of said casing, a guide fixedly mounted in said casing for each of the bights of said flexible members, said carrier member being movable upwardly and downwardly between and beyond the guides for the lower bights of said endless members, and operating means including a finger piece exposed at the outside of said casing and connected with said endless members for thereby moving the latterconcomitantly.

12. In a readily portable refillable container for one or more articles to be removed therefrom for use, in combination, a substantially rectangular flattened outer casing closed at its lower end and open at its upper end, a flexible cover member adapted to be moved edgewise relatively to the upper end of said outer casing for opening and closing the latter, a substantially rectangular fiat tened carrier member open at its top and capable of upward and downward movement within said casing, a pair of movable spaced parallel endless flexible members connecting said movable cover and said movable carrier member together for concomitant movement, each of said flexible members having vertical runs connected together by upper and lower bights thereof of which said lower bights are spaced above the closed lower end of said casing, a guide fixedly mounted in said casing for each of the bights of said flexible members, said carrier member being movable upwardly and downwardly between and beyond the guides for the lower bights of said endless members, and operating means including a finger piece exposed at the outside of said casing and connected with said endless members for thereby moving the latter concomitantly, said finger piece being movable upwardly and downwardly and the relationship of said movable members being such that when said finger piece is moved upwardly said cover member will be moved in a direction to uncover the top of said casing and said carrier member will be raised in said casing while the movement of said finger piece in a downward direction will lower said carrier member in said casing and move said cover member in a direction to close the open top of said casing.

13. In a readily portable refillable container for one or more articles to be removed therefrom for use, in combination, a substantially rectangular flattened outer casing closed at its lower end and open at its upper end, a flexible cover member adapted to be moved edgewise relatively to the upper end of said outer casing for opening and closing the latter, said cover member being movable rearwardly and downwardly for opening said casing and being movable upwardly and forwardly for closing said casing, a substantially rectangular flattened receptacle open at its top and capable of upward and downward movement within said casing, a pair of movable spaced parallel endless flexible members connecting said movable cover and said movable receptacle together for concomitant movement, each of said flexible members having front and rear runs: connected together by upper and lower bights thereof, a guide fixedly mounted in said casing for each of the bights of said flexible members, said endless members and their respective said guides being spaced laterally beyond said carrier member with the latter extending flatwise between them and having a path of movement between the respective said guides and between said endless members parallel with the latter, said receptacle being fixedly carried by the front runs of said flexible members, and a finger piece exposed at the outside of said casing at the front and fixedly connected to said receptacle thereby to move the latter in the same direction that said finger piece is moved.

14. In a device of the character described, in combination, a casing having an open end and a closed end, a pair of spaced parallel endless flexible members guided within said casing for longitudinal traveling movement therein, a cover carried by said members capable of movement across the open end of said casing for opening and closing the latter, an article carrier carried by said members and capable of longitudinal movement within said casing, said endless members being spaced laterally beyond said article carrier and said carrier having a path of longitudinal movement between said endless members parallel therewith, and exterior operating means capable of moving said members concomitantly.

15. In a device of the character described, in combination, a casing having an open end and a closed end, a pair of spaced parallel endless flexible bands guided within said casing for longitudinal traveling movement therein, a flexible cover carried by said bands capable of movement across the open end of said casing for opening and closing the latter, an article carrier carried by said bands and capable of longitudinal movement within said casing, said endless bands being spaced laterally beyond said article carrier and said carrier having a path of longitudinal movement between said endless bands parallel therewith, and exterior operating means capable of moving said bands concomitantly.

16. In a device of the character described, in combination, a casing having an open end and a closed end, a pair of spaced parallel endless flexible members guided within said casing for longitudinal traveling movement therein, a fixed frame member within said casing for each of said flexible members, a set of guide pulleys for each of said flexible members mounted upon the respective said frame members, a cover carried by said members capable of movement across the open end of said casing for opening and closing the latter, an article carrier carried by said members and capable of longitudinal movement within said casing, said endless members and their said sets of guide pulleys being spaced laterally beyond said article carrier with the latter extending between them and having a path of movement between said sets of guide pulleys and between said endless members parallel with the latter, and exterior operating means capable of moving said members concomitantly.

1'7. In a readily portable refillable container for one or more articles to be removed therefrom for use, in combination, a substantially rectangular flattened outer casing closed at its lower end and open at its upper end, a flexible cover member adapted to be moved edgewise relatively to the upper end of said outer casing for opening and closing the latter, a substantially rectangular flattened carrier member open at its top and capable of upward and downward movement within said casing, a pair of movable spaced parallel endless flexible members connecting said movable cover and said movable carrier member together for concomitant movement, each of said flexible members having vertical run connected together by upper and lower bights thereof, a guide fixedly mounted in said casing for each of the bights of said flexible members, said endless members and their respective said guides being spaced laterally beyond said carrier member with the latter extending flatwise between them and having a path of movement between the respective said guides and between said endless members parallel with the latter, and operating means including a finger piece exposed at the outside of said casing and connected with said endless members for thereby moving the latter concomitantly.

EDWIN H. KOEHLER. 

